Saratoga Shakespeare Co. opens season with Macbeth, July 15

Macbeth deconstructed: discussion July 14

SARATOGA SPRINGS >> Saratoga Shakespeare Company president and Skidmore professor Jay Rogoff will discuss “Whodunnit? An Introduction to Macbeth,” on Monday, July 14 at 7 PM. The talk takes place in the Dutcher Community Room of the Saratoga Springs Public Library and is free and open to the public.

Macbeth commits a terrible crime out of ambition: he murders Duncan, who is his king, his kinsman, and his guest. But what – or who – drives him to do it? His own thirst for power? The 3 witches who predict he will become king? The taunts of his wife, Lady Macbeth? Rogoff will explore Macbeth’s susceptibility to these 4 female characters and ponder the degree to which he decides his own fate.

The talk will also offer background on the play and the historical reasons, around 1606, Shakespeare chose to write a tragedy set in medieval Scotland, with the supernatural playing such a prominent role.

SARATOGA SPRINGS >> Saratoga Shakespeare Company will probe the depths of the human heart in Shakespeare’s darkest tragedy, Macbeth. The play runs July 15-27 in Congress Park, Saratoga Springs, on the Alfred Z. Solomon Stage at 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays.

Admission is free of charge, and Congress Park is entirely accessible. Family groups and picnics are strongly encouraged.

Macbeth, directed by David M. Girard, features Saratoga Shakespeare Company favorites Tim Dugan in the title role and Amy Prothro as Lady Macbeth. Girard directed the 2013 production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, also with Dugan and Prothro, and the extreme change from sunny farce to intense tragedy offers special challenges for both the director and the actors.

Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, murders his way to the throne of Scotland, inspired by the predictions of 3 witches and urged on by his ambitious lady. Finding his power precarious, he keeps committing murders until defeated in battle by Macduff, Thane of Fife, who restores the crown to Malcolm, its rightful heir.

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Director Girard explains why Macbeth, though written about 1606 and set almost a thousand years ago, speaks to us today. “We’ve become collectively attracted to the good man gone bad. Contemporary audiences relate to the anti-hero because of the dramatic richness of flawed characters, and we place a premium on characters who are both hero and villain – think of TV shows like ‘Breaking Bad,’ ‘Game of Thrones,’ and ‘House of Cards.’”

“This also helps explain the spectacular resurgence of Shakespeare in America. He knows the flaws in men and women, and makes us understand the corruption of Macbeth’s soul.”

Saratoga Shakespeare Company Executive Director Barbara Opitz points out the play’s relevance for young people in our community. “Since 2000, our productions have become a Saratoga tradition, and many children have grown up watching Shakespeare every summer. Macbeth gives us a chance to dramatize a play most of them have read in high school, showing once again that Shakespeare isn’t dull stuff but exciting, living theater.”

“Our surveys show more people want to see Macbeth than any other Shakespeare play,” says company Artistic Director Lary Opitz, “So we’re delighted to satisfy our audience’s demand. Yes, it’s a tragedy, and yes, it’s violent – but it’s also a great theater experience for the whole family. We invite everyone to come and picnic with us and with Shakespeare’s unbeatable genius.”

In addition to Tim Dugan and Amy Prothro, both members of Actors’ Equity, Macbeth’s cast boasts Equity performers John Romeo, David Bunce, David Baecker, and Leigh Strimbeck. Local actors and a talented group of apprentices and interns fill the remainder of the cast. And no production of Macbeth would be complete without its exciting climactic sword fight, staged by Doug Seldin.

For the first time, Saratoga Shakespeare Company apprentices and interns company will offer the company’s second free production this summer, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by David Demke. Performances will take place outdoors at Skidmore College’s Suzanne Corbet Thomas Amphitheater July 31 and August 1 at 6 p.m..

Saratoga Shakespeare Company’s production of Macbeth is funded in part by the Saratoga Program for Arts Funding, made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo, the New York State Legislature, and Saratoga Arts. Macbeth is also supported in part by a generous grant from the J. M. McDonald Foundation.